Analytics and Optimization Reduce Sewage Overflows to Protect Community Waterways in Kentucky

The Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (Louisville MSD) in Kentucky uses operations research, advanced analytics, and innovative engineering concepts to protect local community waterways by optimizing the collection, transport, and treatment of wastewater. When a large rainfall event overwhelms wastewater and stormwater system capacities, the results can be urban runoff pollution, sewer overflows, and localized flooding. To address the many challenges of reducing sewer overflows and protecting public health and the environment, while also considering their financial limitations, Louisville MSD looked for innovative ways to optimize its wastewater system design and operation. In partnership with Tetra Tech, Louisville MSD pioneered the application of real-time control (RTC) using Csoft^®, which relies on sewer-monitoring data, weather forecasting, and data analytics for system-wide optimization, such as better flow routing, optimal filling and dewatering of storage basins and tunnels, and maximization of the use of treatment capacities. As a result of implementing this solution, Louisville MSD experiences fewer sewer overflows during rainfalls and also benefits by reducing the size of the storage facilities required. The use of RTC has avoided over $200 million of capital cost for the community to date, and it also improved operational efficiencies. In operation since 2006, the RTC system was implemented in phases in accordance with the Louisville MSD long-term overflow abatement plan to improve and increase system capacities. Currently, the RTC system reduces more than two billion gallons of sewer overflows per typical year.